Problem Behavior In Adulthood Research Articles

Screening for Social Communication and Mental Health Needs in Schools: Initial Validation of the School-Based Social Communication Skill Set Screener (SBSCSSS)

Social communication is closely related to overall and general adolescent mental health and predictive of problem behaviors in adulthood. However, adolescents with social communication deficits remain an underidentified and underserved population, especially in school-based settings. In part, this is due to the dearth of social communication measures developed for use, and within, school contexts. The School-Based Social Communication Skill Set Screener (SBSCSSS) was developed as a schoolwide rapid assessment measure for students’ perceptions of their own skills and problems stemming from potential social communication issues. This study aims to provide initial psychometric evidence for the SBSCSSS by analyzing a data set of schoolwide needs assessment responses conducted at an urban Appalachian high school. Exploratory factor analyses identified a three-factor structure across 23 items. Internal consistency calculations found that each factor, including a global factor, had high levels of internal consistency. Convergent validity findings are also provided. Initial psychometric evidence for the SBSCSSS indicates a potential valid and reliable tool to examine perceived social communication skills for high school students. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications for future research and practice.

Neglect in Childhood, Problem Behavior in Adulthood.

Few studies have reported problem behaviors in adulthood related to the timing of child neglect. The objective was to examine the relationship between classes of child neglect and later behavior. The sample included 473 participants from the prospective Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN); their mean age was 23.8years. They completed an online survey regarding behaviors and experiences in early adulthood. Neglect was assessed via Child Protective Services (CPS) and self-reports of neglect. Latent class analysis (LCA) identified three classes: Late Neglect, Chronic Neglect, and Limited Neglect. There were significant differences between Limited and Late Neglect regarding later intimate partner aggression and violence (IPAV) and psychological distress, and among all classes for criminal behavior. High-risk youth experiencing neglect beginning in mid-adolescence appear especially vulnerable to later criminal behavior, psychological distress, and IPAV. Those working with such youth can help ensure that their needs are adequately met, to prevent or mitigate problems in adulthood.

Parental Divorce and Externalizing Problem Behavior in Adulthood. A Study on Lasting Individual, Family and Peer Risk Factors for Externalizing Problem Behavior when Experiencing a Parental Divorce

ABSTRACTThis study explored the relationship between experiencing a parental divorce in childhood and externalizing problem behavior (EPB) in adulthood. We examined individual, family, and peer influences for those growing up in a broken home. Our findings indicate that growing up in a broken home has enduring consequences for EPB. However, factors influencing EPB in adulthood did not differ according to family structure. Regarding changes in EPB in adulthood, having more deviant friends was more hazardous for those growing up in a broken home, while parental rejection and low self-control were more hazardous for those from an intact family.

Predicting adult emotional and behavioral problems from externalizing problem trajectories in a 24-year longitudinal study

The aim of this study was to examine the prediction of adult behavioral and emotional problems from developmental trajectories of externalizing behavior in a 24-years longitudinal population-based study of 2,076 children. The adult psychiatric outcome of these trajectories has not yet been examined. Trajectories of the four externalizing behavior types: aggression, opposition, property violations and status violations were determined separately through latent class growth analysis using data of five waves, covering ages 4-18 years. We used regression analyses to determine the associations between children's trajectories and adults' psychiatric problems based on the Adult Self-Report. The developmental trajectories of the four types of externalizing behavior mostly predicted intrusive, aggressive and rule-breaking behavior in adulthood. Non-destructive behaviors in childhood such as opposition and status violations predict adult problems to a larger extent than destructive behaviors such as aggression and property violations. In general, children who develop through high-level trajectories are likely to suffer from both internalizing and externalizing problem behavior in adulthood, regardless the direction of change (i.e. increasing/decreasing/persisting) of the high-level trajectory. We can conclude that the level rather than the developmental change of externalizing behavior problems has a larger impact on adult outcome.

Problem drinking from young adulthood to adulthood: patterns, predictors and outcomes.

Many young adults engage in heavy or problem drinking, but it is unclear who will continue problem drinking into adulthood. This study followed a general population sample in order to study patterns of problem drinking over time, to identify differences among drinking groups, to test a model differentiating youth-limited from developmentally-persistent problem drinkers, and to examine adult outcomes. Data were from the Health and Human Development Project; subjects (N = 1,073) were in three age cohorts (age 18-25; age 21-28; age 24-31). Based on use and consequences data from two assessment intervals, cluster analyses were performed. Cluster analyses yielded four drinking groups: youth-limited problem drinkers, stable moderate drinkers, stable low drinkers and developmentally-persistent problem drinkers. Rates of youth-limited problem drinking peaked in the middle cohort and rates of developmentally-persistent problem drinking decreased in the oldest cohort. Discriminant analysis revealed that developmentally-persistent problem drinkers in each age cohort are more likely to be male, to show high disinhibition, and to experience a high level of problem behaviors. Youth-limited problem drinkers were similar to developmentally-persistent problem drinkers on many young adult characteristics and adult outcomes. Developmentally-persistent problem drinkers in each age cohort continued to show higher levels of problem behaviors in adulthood than youth-limited problem drinkers. Most young adults show continuity of drinking patterns. Although developmentally-persistent problem drinkers did not differ from youth-limited problem drinkers in adopting adult roles, their continued experience of many problem behaviors suggests that they fail to adopt the role of greater conventionality in adulthood.